Did anyone go to the Watchtower study?

Question

I thought it was very upbuilding like how Jesus corrected peter on how many times to forgive. and to not get the sliver out of our neighbors eye but see the rafter in our own.

Answer 1

Each issue of The Watchtower magazine enjoys a circulation of about 28 million. Amazingly, it is published SIMULTANEOUSLY in 145 languages, with about ten additional languages somewhat later.
http://jw-media.org/people/statistics.htm

Globally, the Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses arranges for local congregations to have a weekly meeting during which an article from The Watchtower is considered with audience participation. While an assigned reader actually reads each paragraph in the language of the group, nearly every point is brought out by congregants in their own words.

Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/jt/index.htm?article=article_07.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/rq/index.htm?article=article_14.htm

Answer 2

One brother brought out a side point on the number 7. The Jews felt that to forgive 3 times was enough, I guess like 3 strikes and your out, so when Peter said 7 times, he thought he was being very generous. So when Jesus said 77 times, we know that it would mean not to keep account of injuries.

Another point about the Good Samaritan. One sister brought out that the Jews were so prejudice against the Samaritans, that when Jesus asked who of the three seems to you to have made himself neighbor to the man, the man could not even bring himself to say the Samaritan, but answered "The one that acted mercifully toward him."

The example of the slave who owed money, we can see how serious it is to forgive others, if we want Jehovah to forgive us.
"In like manner my heavenly Father will deal with you if you do not forgive each one his brother from your heart." Matt. 18:23-25

Another point about giving and helping our brothers. So many times, you say "let me know if you need anything" and nothing comes of it. Don't wait for them to ask for help, make the effort to find out what they need and take the inititive to provide what ever help is needed.

I like the point about when giving, we would want to be careful not to promote laziness. One brother brought out that there are "beggars" in big cities that make up to $60,000 or more a year "tax exempt". So we would want to use sound reasoning when giving others money.

Many are without hope for the future, so the finest way we can show mercy by taking time to share God's kingdom hope with them. "Give them a fish and you feed them for the day, teach them to fish and you feed them for life."

Answer 3

Yeah, when Peter asked if it was okay to forgive up to seven times, he actually thought he was being generous. The popular consensus of the time (no doubt thought up by the Pharisees) is that you should forgive your brother up to three times, sort of a "three strikes and your out" policy. By saying we should forgive up to seventy seven times, Jesus was emphasizing that we shouldn't keep count.

Our public talk was also about mercy, so the 77/time forgiveness and the parable about the two slaves in debt came up rather frequently in 1 day.

Answer 4

Yes i did yesterday morning. I really appreciate those reminders and instruction...it really helps me to work on my personality and to correct any wrong attitude i may have. We must be forgiven to others...and not just by word, but truly from our hearts. And we shouldn't keep track or limit our forgiveness, because our Creator, Jehovah God has forgiven us soooo much already and continues to do so. And I try my best not be judgemental, especially since i know what it feels like being judged by others who know nothing of me or my situation....and also i fight not to be critical...but i am sometimes, but i work very hard on it. I love the study yesterday. We must be merciful

Answer 5

Yes, very upbuilding. I liked the point about how we should not show favouritism, and also that we should balance how we help others materially- we should not do so in a way that will make them lazy or help them support a bad habit.

(2 Thessalonians 3:10; Proverbs 20:1,4)

Agape sister.

Answer 6

77 times who are going to count that I will loose the count down after 15 and will begin again.

we should show mercy to all the people no matter if they are our brother or not as the Samaritan did in the Parable that the article explained that is located in the book of Luke 10:32.

we had the oportunity to do that Yesterday after the flood that we had in my country (Dominican Republic with 87 deaths) and thousands of people without housing, in more than 150 congregations in all my country we gathered a lot things a sent to the town that were distroyed by the flood.

Answer 7

since I have a group I pick up and deliver home I was thinking hopefully that is counted as part of my service. It has been so bad here lately. Sickness has kept me in more than I would like. The speaker was excellant and the talk was about living forever would not be like it is now. If we had perfect health.
No war, everyone had plenty to eat, and a place to call home.
It makes it hard to wait.

Answer 8

Yes. I've always considered this parable of Jesus' particularly thought provoking. (Matthew 18:23-35) How small offenses against us are compared to our offenses against God! No wonder James 2:13 tells us that if we do not practice mercy we will have our own judgment without mercy.

Answer 9

Yes! Wasn't that great? One of the comments we had was that you shouldn't bury the hatchet and leave the handle sticking up. And another comment was that when you point your finger at someone, there are 3 fingers pointing back at you. I really enjoyed that study!

Answer 10

just like I said in the meeting. it is easy to forgive but hard to forget when someone says something with there tongue. I did not say this, but think about this one. when you point your finger at someone, look at the three pointing back at you. that tongue can get you into alot of trouble if you don't watch what we say. the brother on the platform said, let your brain think before you speak